Three Women Show That Ski Touring is for Everyone

When Wenla Väärälä, Johanna Ketola, and Fiia Ketonen set out to make their first ski touring documentary, their goal was much more than just showcasing the sport. They wanted to challenge how extreme sports are typically portrayed. In a scene dominated by seasoned pros, jaw-dropping feats—and men—their documentary offers a fresh, relatable perspective that makes room for everyone, regardless of gender, life situation, age, or skill level.

For these three Finnish women, LASKE is more than a documentary; it’s a passion project, a challenge, and a statement. It’s Finland’s first all-female-produced ski touring documentary, showing that women can take on extreme sports regardless of age or background—and make it compelling.

A New Take on the Scene’s Usual Imagery

We connect with Wenla Väärälä, LASKE’s producer and scriptwriter, via a Teams call. She eagerly shares her feelings now that the documentary has already been shown at several ski film festivals in northern Finland. “We were so nervous about how it would be received, but the feedback from people in the field has been overwhelmingly positive,” she says, clearly happy and proud. This response wasn’t guaranteed; Wenla and her team had minimal experience in filmmaking—and were relative newcomers to the sport as well.

Wenla recalls the fear of putting themselves out there as amateurs in a field where “you’re often expected to master steep, impressive lines.” She wondered, “Would people respect us as true skiers, even if we aren’t showing perfect runs?” But their story and perspective brought something completely new to the audience, and the feedback proved that this was a viewpoint that needed to be seen.

Fear of judgment wasn’t their only hurdle. A few years ago, when Wenla became a mother, she worried she’d be stuck in “the mom box” for the rest of her life. “I’m a bit older, live in a big city, and now I’m also a single mother. How can I still do the things I love in nature and sports? Am I boxed in forever?” she wondered. Johanna had her own battle with a serious fear of heights, but her passion for the sport won out, and over time she managed to overcome her fear.

“It was inspiring to see Johanna conquer her fears,” Wenla shares. “We hope that her example encourages others to face their own fears, whether it’s in sports or any other area of life.”

The Power of a Female Perspective

“This female perspective was crucial to us,” Wenla says, emphasizing how rare it is to see an entirely female crew, both behind the camera and on the slopes, in the world of ski documentaries. “I’d say that in about 99% of productions worldwide, there’s at least one man on board. As far as I know, there hasn’t been a completely female-made ski doc in Finland before us. With this documentary, we want to encourage more women to try ski touring and also prove that women can take on any role, whether in front of or behind the camera.”

The film also challenges the idea that extreme sports are just for daredevils. “Everyone has their own ‘extreme’ level, and you don’t have to pull off the wildest tricks to enjoy this sport. Life can throw all kinds of situations at us, but none of them should stop us from trying something challenging and rewarding. We can break free from the boxes we often find ourselves in—like being a mother, living in a city, or thinking, ‘I’m too old to start.’ Those aren’t limits—they can be starting points.”

A Message Bigger Than the Project Itself

For Wenla, Johanna, and Fiia, making this documentary was a leap into the unknown. “We were enthusiastic but inexperienced,” Wenla admits. “We learned so much by jumping straight into the deep end. Next time, I’d approach almost every step differently.”

Despite the challenges, Wenla describes the result as beautiful and rewarding. “The community around this sport is incredible,” she adds. “That sense of belonging has been one of the best parts of this journey.” Wenla’s passion for ski touring keeps growing. She’s already planning her next project and is moving to Lapland with her child to be closer to the mountains. “We’ll definitely keep skiing together with Fiia and Johanna,” she says with a smile, “and who knows what other projects might be waiting for us.”

This documentary is a call for women of all ages and situations to dive into the unknown, define their own “extreme,” and find their place in any field or sport. Wenla, Johanna, and Fiia have created more than a film—they’ve opened doors for many to see themselves represented in extreme sports and to feel like a true part of the outdoor community.

As our call wraps up, we revisit some moments from filming. Without giving away too much, Wenla shares one unforgettable scene that’s also featured in the documentary. On a clear, moonlit night, the team skied down the slopes of Little Malla under a soft pink sky. “There we were, friends together, surrounded by stunning nature, all pushing our own boundaries. It was a moment full of beauty and freedom—a reminder of why we started this project.”

“LASKE” by:

Wenla Väärälä, Director, Producer, and Scriptwriter, @wenlav
Johanna Ketola, Drone Operator, Photographer, and Scriptwriter, @johannaketo
Fiia Ketonen, Director, Videographer, and Editor, @fiiaemilia